Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-02-07
WAR ON THE LABOR UNIONS.
New England Builders Propose a New
Order Of Things.
THEY WILL PAY BY THR HOUR AND WILL DIAL
ONLY WITH INDIVIDUAL BMPLoYEES-ro THY To
MAKE THE MOVEMENT NATIONAL


The movement toward national combination
or master builders and contractors receives its
chief impetus from Boston. The Master Builders
association OF that city defeated the attempt OF
the workmen TO secure eight hours last spring,
and the plan OF campain then adopted is likely TO
become the permanent policy % the proposed orga-
nlLatlon. dispatch nom that city TO the New
York Sun says: A new code OF working principles,
so called. is being adopted by the contractors In
this state who are Joining the combination, and IL
VIII probably be made the basis OF a cons titution
TO be adopted by the national convention at Chi
cago next month. The declaration contains these
points:
Work to be paid for by the hour, at price
agreed upon between employer and individual
workman. The insertion or a clause I'm contracts
renewing contractors from responsibility for de-
lays In case OF strike. The condemnation as un-
men with the discharge or other workmen for
cause, or the employment or unemployment OF
certain workmen: the Intimidation OF workmen
by refusing to work with them. and Threatening
10 prevent their getting employment unless they
JON certain societies. The recognition OF the
right or the workmen fn the employ OF one con-
tractor TO present grievances through a Spokes-
man, but no person outside the employ neut OF the
saa contractor Will be allowed to represent them.
The agreement binds its signers 10 aid. support
ana assist each other In maintaining a firm stand
against all improper dictation. IL is 10 go into
effect on April L. Speaking OF the code adopted
oy the Boston ASSOCIATION, Secretary Sayward said
yesterday:
'-Our association has taken the lead in this
matter because we felt IL was time some such
movement for protection should be made The
adoption OF similar resolutions by the Worcester
DulidefS shows how the movement is spreading.
~ Is proposed TO form national Master Builders
association, for which preliminary meetings were
heid IN TINS city few weeks ago, and for which
a convention has been called In Chicago on March
-. think the association VIII undoubtedly be
| formed, and that it viii adopt the plans that
| single associations Throughout the country are
AZ ar
| working principles, we have received many words
| OF colninendation from people who have made the
LABOR question a study. col. Carroll ID. Wright
| says he believes that in fixing the compensation
| for the worhmen by the hour, Instead OF by the
day, We have struck the keynote or what Will
nnaily be the solution OF the labor question, and
Ihat. although we may not succeed Immediately,
II VIII eventually be the principle on which all
labor Will be paid. We believe that ii is the ONLY
method OF payment that viii give absolute Justice
between employer and employe I'm our business,
and also that II will lead IN time to the solution
The VeNed question or hoUrsof Labor.
Our greatest trouble has been TO make the
WorkInen see that our interests are parallel
| with theirs, II not Identical. They speak OF
| master ana man as IL sat on thrones and
lordef 1t over them. IL is not at all. III the
workInen could see ii, they would know that we
are both Interested in getting as much as possible
out OF the public, who pay their money Tor our
work, and that any thing THAI stops that supply
or money Injuries US DOIh alike. IL is useless for
us 10 try TO get this money II we cannot conduct
our business as experience as taught us is neces-
Sary without dfctaiiOn. The question OF what we
snail pay must be regulated by the law of supply
and demand. Nothing We can do can change il. The
impression has got aoroad that We are opposed TO
the labor organizations. or 10 the workIlen hav-
Ing any organization. That Is not SO; but what
We have objected TO is the unwarranted inte,fer-
ence OF these organizations with our business and
workmen. These organizations demand recogni-
ton at our hands, and that We shall sign certain
agreements.
SNOW let us look into the matter a little on our
part lf the Master Builders association sign such
agreements, what does IL amount TO? The iSSoci-
alton has no right 10 bind its members 10 such
agreements, and unless each firm signs none OF
Them could DE held 70 IT, On the part of the work
men committee OF whom we know nothing tells
US: we Will sign this on behalf OF our assembly
Suppose they do sign it, what guarantee have we
That they can hold the assembly to it? IL is a
body that Is subject To changes, and the addition
OF new members or a change in sentiment might
overthrow the management that made the agree
| ment with US. and then where are We anu what
| has become or the assurances given us? say the
only way is TO have employees sign agreements In
| dividuaily, and that Is what We take a decided
| stand 1OE."